2022 NFL draft scouting report: Alabama DT Phidarian Mathis
Alabama DT Phidarian Mathis
6-foot-4
310 kilos
Yahoo Sports activities’ 2022 NFL draft grade
5.62 — doable third- or fourth-rounder; contributor potential
TL;DR scouting report
Exhausting-working, hard-hat defender with a transparent worth who broke out in his ultimate season however may not provide a lot in the way in which of pass-rush influence
The thin
A 4-star Rivals recruit (No. 151 nationally) within the Class of 2017, Mathis dedicated to the Crimson Tide and redshirted throughout their championship season that yr. He got here off the bench in 15 video games in 2018 to complete 18 tackles and a fumble restoration. Mathis performed in 12 of the 13 video games in 2019 (beginning two, lacking one sport) with 27 tackles (0.5 TFL) and one compelled fumble.
In 2020, Mathis began six of 13 video games and totaled 31 tackles (5 TFLs), 1.5 sacks, three passes defended and one sack for the nationwide champions. He got here again in 2021 to begin 12 of 15 video games and complete 53 tackles (12 TFLs), 9 sacks, two batted passes, one compelled fumble and two recoveries. Mathis competed on the 2022 Senior Bowl.
Upside
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Perfect body with breadth to deal with inside rigors and soak up contact
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Excellent size — over 6-4 with 34 5/8-inch arms
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Massive (10 3/8 inches), robust fingers to provide critical pop at level of assault
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Displayed some explosiveness with broad bounce (9-foot-1)
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Generates stunning energy in a cellphone sales space
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Makes use of his size to lock out blockers and toss them apart
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Extra superior hand method than most defensive tackles
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Does his job as a run stuffer — maintains hole integrity and anchors effectively
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Improved backfield penetration in breakout 2021 season
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Will get fingers as much as shut down passing home windows
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Versatile sufficient to play a number of spots on the road (nostril, 3-tech, 5-tech)
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Grinder who does lunchpail work that supersedes box-score imprint
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Everlasting workforce captain at among the best applications within the nation
Draw back
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Not a high-end athletic specimen
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Did not carry out operating drills, bench press at NFL mix or professional day
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Restricted quickness, explosion and alter of course on tape
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Vertical bounce (23 1/2 inches) can be unhealthy quantity for an unathletic offensive guard
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Will not provide a lot pass-rush worth at subsequent stage
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Would not present a lot playmaking vary exterior his tackle-box sphere
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Bulk of his sacks, TFLs got here on extra-effort performs
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Noticed favorable blocking assignments enjoying on proficient Tide entrance
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Inconsistent pad stage — would not all the time get low and keep low
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Seemingly a greater slot in odd entrance/two-gapping function
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Older prospect — turns 24 years previous throughout draft week
Finest-suited vacation spot
We view Mathis as a dirty-work defender, maybe greatest fitted to two-gap duties. Though fewer groups run true 3-4 fronts today, there’s nonetheless a name for inside pluggers with excessive motors, so Mathis ought to get work in a rotation. This isn’t a Professional Bowl-caliber expertise, however he is a purposeful, hard-working and semi-productive run stopper who might carve out a pleasant, respectable profession for the subsequent a number of years.
Do you know
Mathis wore No. 48 in faculty — an uncommon quantity for an inside defensive lineman, but it surely was for a noble cause. His second cousin, Tyrell Cameron, whom Mathis thought-about extra like a brother rising up, wore that quantity. A participant for Franklin Parish (La.) Excessive Faculty, Cameron died on the football field after taking successful on a punt return in 2015.
Mathis obtained the information after ending his personal sport the identical night time 40 miles away however was too late to see Cameron earlier than he handed. When Mathis dedicated to Alabama, he wore a shirt with “FP48” and held up footage of his late buddy in the course of the ceremony and has worn that quantity ever since.
Participant comp
Johnathan Hankins
Anticipated draft vary
Rounds 2-3
